IDR Inc.

• Rank: 108
• Top staffing segment(s) served): IT
• Final 2022 revenue: $136.6 million
• Final CAGR 2018 through 2022: 24.6%
• Website: idr-inc.com

Founded in 1998, award-winning and female-led staffing firm IDR Inc. has grown to serve businesses and professionals across industries including IT, healthcare, government services and professional services. With President and CEO Ashley Holahan at the helm, the organization has expanded significantly in the last 25 years beyond its headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia, opening offices around the country in Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; and Denver, Colorado. In 2021, the organization incorporated a new firm, IDR Healthcare, to meet the growing unique needs of the healthcare staffing field. This strategic decision helped propel IDR’s business forward, enabling the organization to thrive amidst the economic impact of the pandemic. IDR Inc. is appearing on SIA’s Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms list for the fifth consecutive year.

If you ask IDR’s leadership team what has given the company the edge to survive and thrive through the difficulties of the pandemic and its subsequent workforce challenges, it encompasses one word: ownership. As an employee-owned staffing firm, each IDR employee has the opportunity to participate in the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), which enables them to own individual shares in their company. After one year of employment, every employee becomes a stakeholder and receives company shares annually. IDR also gives the opportunity to participate in the ESOP program to its contractors, giving temporary workers additional incentive to work with the organization. “The level of transparency is tremendous,” says Brandon Rogers, COO of IDR Healthcare. “It truly empowers people.”

It’s this ownership stake in the company that leads to a high level of employee commitment and engagement — and ultimately, its growth, the organization’s leaders contend.

However, operating currently as a $100 million firm and increasing its internal staff to nearly 200 from 20 — plus several hundred contractors — did not happen overnight. IDR has a methodical and robust training and talent development program that provides opportunities for employees at all levels to learn, grow and successfully navigate their careers. “We are very disciplined in talent development and how we teach people,” says COO Will Hayes, who has experienced IDR’s commitment to development firsthand. Formerly a recruiter hired directly out of college, Hayes was given the opportunity to expand the business into Dallas and eventually work his way into his current position. In fact, all top executives, VP level and above, were internal promotions, and many of them started at the company right out of college as recruiters. IDR’s key differentiator is in its leaders: They have a passion for bolstering their employees’ careers.

Digital transformation and data analytics are also an integral part of IDR’s strategic growth. Streamlining its sales, recruiting and onboarding systems and investing in data quality has positioned the firm to consistently meet the needs of clients and candidates.

Looking ahead, IDR will continue to build on its strong foundation of internal talent development, embracing technological transformations, and meeting market demands through innovative programs. IDR’s commitment to helping its team navigate changes and adopt technological advancements amidst an ever-changing industry landscape made it one of SIA’s Best Staffing Firms to Work For in 2023.

Rogers summarizes well the company’s future strategy for growth, stating, “There is an overwhelming voice around automation and artificial intelligence. We need to embrace the disruption. We’re using all those things, but we’re making sure our people do not forget that this is a human industry.”